The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for essential tremor of both upper extremities and restless leg syndrome of both lower extremities due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for a VA examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence, including the Veteran's testimony during the December 2021 hearing, relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims of service connection for essential tremor of both upper extremities and restless leg syndrome of both lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- Essential tremor, Restless leg syndrome
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22032069
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 22032069.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2024. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for restless leg syndrome of both legs and denied his claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran is now rated at 70% for generalized anxiety disorder, effective from July 11, 2019.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and restless leg syndrome, denied service connection for a respiratory disorder other than sinusitis and rhinitis, and granted an initial rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder effective August 18, 2022.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for essential tremor, bullous emphysema, COPD, and a pulmonary nodule as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposures to herbicide agents, asbestos, and lead.
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